ONLY A DOLLAR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11026, 14 March 1914, Page 2

ONLY A DOLLAR.

(By HELEN DA VIES.) Emmclino was so tired that every muscle and fibre of her strong young body ached. Sho had been on foot since early dawn, when she had risen to iron her best shirtwaist and duck skirt, because to-morrow was Decoration Day, and Jim Sullivan had more than hinted at his intention of taking her 021 the annual excursion of the Elks. Then Elnnieline blushed, because she felt confident that coming back in the darkness and softness of the early spring evening, hidden in a quiet corner on the steamer deck, the decisive word would bo spoken, for which sho hungered. She pushed a little straying curl back from her moist forehead, glancing wearily at the clock confronting her, but it was still too early in the afternoon to think or closing time. But it was undeniably hot, for the sun, sloping toward the west, streamed into the shop, and the odours from the big trays of fresh chocolates seemed almost overpowering, as the throngs of purchasers passed and repassed, until the girl, in the narrow space behind the counter, felt actually giddy, and more than once mistook the narrow pink for the wide yellow ribbon and was forced to rectify her error with damp, trembling hands at a sharp reproof from her superior. She sighed impatiently, for the entire community seemed bent 011 satiating their craving for sweets for the approaching holiday. "Yes, ma'am, fifty cents a pound," she repeated mechanically for the hundredth time that day, in response to a query from an elaborately gowned young girl whose fresh, daintily gloved hand was extended towards a tray. Then the eyes of the server and the served met frankly and curiously, the shop girl enviously wondering what ] ; fe meant to one who evidently knew no other care than that of gratifying artificial needs; the other speculative as to why the newspapers pitied those who did n9 tiling all day long but weigh out bonbons, with the privilege, which she had seen stated on authority, of eating all they might desire. Then tlio clock struck, and with the departure of the final customers the restraint was loosened and a babel of 1 conversation ran behind the counter, as coverings were hastily thrown over the trays of candies, the pasteboard boxes neatly piled, the bolts of ribbon tolled and flung into the drawers. " Gee," exclaimed a fresh _ voice, "who's goin' to the Elks' picnic?" Adding mischievously: "I bet 1 can guess who's takin' of Em. You needn't get bo red. There ain't one of us girls ain't glad you cut out Annie Saunders with Jim 6ullivan. Don't it jar you to see her yellow face under the big plumed hat she took her bottom dollar

to buy? Much good ■will it do her now. She was sure she'd get an invite."

Again Emiv.e'ino blushed, a deep, rosy, lovely blush. Sho forgot her aching feet, her overpowering weariness, and the knowledge that man yhoursof preparation for to-morrow's festivities lay between her and her night's rest. She quickened her movements, for soon she would be'called to the desk to receive her pay envelope, containing her precicSus eight dollars for the week's work. She knew exactly how she intended to spend every cent. Four dollars must go' to pay her board at homeland she knew lier father would be waiting for it before sauntering around to the saloon on the corner, where most of hers and her mother's hard-earned money disappeared as swiftly as the froth upon the beer. Emmeline sighed, then realised that she knew a man who she felt confident was of an absolutely different typo, and when she had her. own little home—— She wrenched her thoughts back to their accustomed groove. •Two dollars and a half must he spent for a'pair of new shoes. Hers were absolutely too-shabby for such a grand occasion as to-morrow's festivities. She glanced down at them scornfully.'. They wtere cracked arid run down at the heels and yes, certainly, there was an undeniable slit, conspicuously across the toe. The shoes now were not an extravagance, but an absolute necessity, and she had sot her heart. on high _ heels, shining buckles, a close imitation of those worn by the girls to whom day after day she sold bonbons and chocolates. Again sho lost herself in calculation. She must keep a quarter for ' the insurance, fifty cents for the stockings which looked just ,like silky and seventy-five cents for her car fares and lunches for the ensuing week. . Again she calculated, if she only dared to keep back a dollar from her contribution to the household expenses, she could impart a final touch of elegance to lior oostumo by purchasing a pair of long white silk gloves. She had seen them, marked down, at Abraham's, which daily passed, and where she often loitered to stare at the bargains temptingly displayed, enticiugly as "Nobby—l.4Bdol," or "Elite —2.69d01."

Then her name was called, and she went alertly forward to the pay desk, extending an impatient hand, for already it was later than she had thought, and there was so much to bo accomplished. " Emmeline.O'Grady," exclaimed the shrill voice of the cashier, a spare thin woman peering .over her spectacles, " there's your envelope, but you'ro docked one dollar, as one of your slips and'the cash .turned in this afternoon didn't correspond. You know the rules of the house. The young ladies are responsible for their mistakes." Emmelino's head reeled, she turned pale, and grasped the edge of the desk, as she faltered: "Oh, I couldn't havo made a mistake. I was so careful for all the rush. I must have my money this week. I can't lose it." Her voice broke a little, and big tears stood in lxer. eyes. The cashier grew impatient. She was only, human, and longed for rest and silence and the solace of a cup of tea; then, too, she was not accustomed to havo her decisions questioned. "I never make mistakes," she delivered icily. " There is no doubt about the error. The slip reads: "Four pounds of chocolate at fifty cents a pound." And you handed in one dollar instead of two. There is no need for further argument. Perhaps thin may toacli you; to bo more careful in future. Take your envelope—you are keeping the others waiting. Mechanically, Emmelino extended an icy hand to clufch her diminished portion. Her head was spinning and her throat parched, as she thought vaguely of what the loss involved, the readjustment of her financial scheme. What could she go without? She must havo the shoes, hut then her father had a heavy hand. A murmur of sympathy rose from the nearest girl. "Sure, it's a mean shame that one dressed like herself should- play such a trick on a poor girl." Emmolino started. Suddenly she renumbered. She had been so absorbed in watching the beautifully dressed girl who had purchased the four pounds of chocolate that she had utterly failed to scrutinise the bill which sho had proffered in payment. She recalled the smiling face, the merry eyes, the voice, musical in its intonation, the freshly gloved hand indicating the preferred bonbons, tho little gold purse dangling from .a chain set with diamonds from which the bill had been abstracted.

Emrneline set her teeth, and her face under the soft dimpled flesh grew resolutely hard, l't was not fair that she should suffer—should bo cheated out of her hard earned dollar—lose tho holiday, which involved so much more than a mero day's pleasure. Tremendous issues were based on the outcome of that outing. She knew Jim Sullivan's impressionable, impulsivo nature, and she realised that, alone with him, in the isolation of the holiday crowd, she could bring to a focus his wandering indecision between her and her rival in his affection.

Sho could not, would not lose her chance. At no matter what cost, she would have what sho desired—she would "brave her father's anger. She had tho right to spend her money as sho chose. It was undeniably hers. Sho had earned every cent of it. She walked deliberately to Abraham's. and entering, determinedly pushed her way to the shoe department, and with the haughty mien of ono to whom new footgear was not an unaccustomed luxury, demanded to bo shown tho very latest mode in duuibs.

Tlien the silk stockings were carefully selected with keen scrutiny as to possible dropped threads or thin spots; the coveted gloves were likewise subjected to thorough investigation; another dollar carefully tucked and pinned inside her waist, and then did Emmeline, with parcels in her hand, turn toward her home. But her footsteps lagged, her indignation and determination had begun to ebb, and 6he found her bravo spirit sinking to the level of her tired, hungry* body. She dreaded to encounter her father's bitter tongue, and had felt the weight of his heavy hand too often not to recoil from its memory; but she must go "back, and she sought to brace her flagging courage by the repeated aphorism that it was better to know the worst and have it over; then she quickened her steps. She must meet Jim Sullivan, according to promise, and decide just where they were to meet nest day.

She turned the corner of the street, and, flushed and breathless, ran up tho long flights of stairs and burst open the door of the kitchen, where her mother, a faded, bent, prematurely old woman, 'glanced up from her occupation of paring potatoes, to exclaim aprehensiver ly;

" Sure, you're that late, Em." Adding fretfully: '' And you father's fair wild with /waitin' for tho money. He's been lookin' down the street forty times, wonderin' what was keepin' j-ou, and now he's gone growlin' ana 6coldin' to walk round the block; thinkin' "he'd meet you. Where have you been—what did you do it for?"

'.'l came round the other way, 1 ' replied the girl wearily. ■" I had to stop at Abraham's to get some' things , for the excursion." .. .. . : " Sure, I hope ye never spent all the money," was the terrified response. "And your father sayin' his throat's as dry as a furnace, and he's got a thirst on him so that he could drink the sea dry. Sure, you never was that foolish that_ you spent your wages, knowin' I ain't been able to airn a cent this week back, along with my burnt wrist."

" Give me a cup of tea," replied Emmeline impatiently. "I'm that bent, I dunno what I'm at. I never seed such a home. It hain't nothin' but money, money from mornin' till night. Who airns it, I'd like to know? Ain't it mine? Don't I sweat for it? What do you think it' means to bo young, cravin' a bit of fun, and bavin' someone allers snatchin' at every cent? I wish I was out of it all. I'm a downright fool to live at home!" The quick tears born of mingled fatigue and anger sprang in the girl's eyes and rolled down her cheeks. "There, there," said her mother, soothing and apprehensive. " There, you set down and let me wait on you. I know its nacheral for girls to like pretty things, and I often feel bad to think ye can't have every cent ye aim. But Lor', Hain't no use talkin'. _lt just comes nacheral for men to drink and cuss, and wimmen has got to take care on 'cm, same as if they were babies. That's what we're here for. But now you drink your tea and eat a bit o' quick before your father comes, and maybe I can put him off with some story about your losin' part of your 1 money, or bein' fined, or sometbm . Maybo yo didn't spend much, any-, way."

The girl swallowed her tea, but pushed back the food untasted, saying slowly: "I'm sick o' lyin' to suit father, and ban dill' out every cent while we ously a.t Ehe bare, unlovely squalor of the room,- at her mother's wrinkled, careworn face and faded calico dress, at her own split shoes and cheap black skirt and soiled shirtwaist.

" I'm sick of it all," eho reiterated, springing to her feet and dashing down her parcels on tlio table, then reiterating doggedly: " I've got a' right to my happiness, and I've got to have decent things. Who'd look" at me, in these duds, and Jim Sullivan wantin' to take me to the Elks to-morrow!" With a swift motion eho_ stripped the wrappings from her purchases. " See," she exclaimed triumphantly, "I bought those," and thrusting her fingers into tlio buckled shoes, she made them execute a dance upon the table, then snatching up the stockings, sho dangled thorn before her mother's horrified gaze, and held the long white silk gloves aloft—then, dropping them, banged down her pay envelope. "There's two dollars left," sho announced succinctly and defiantly"l was fined one, 'cause I made a mistake, and I kep' out my lunch money. 1 ain't goin' hungry for 110 one." There was absolute silence, then her mother broke into a whimper like a frightened animal. "My Gawd!" she ejaculated with palo lips. " Who's goin' to tell him?" But oven as she spoke, a heavy tread shook tho frail stairs, tho door burst open and a powerfully built man entered the room. His face was flaming red, his eyes excited, his thick black hair erect 011 his head, his cheeks covered with a three-days' growth of stubble ; bis dirty, hairy hands were clenching and unclenching, as he ejaculated, stuttering with rage: " Whero is she? Where is she? I'll teach her to run

round the streets and kapo her fatlieP waitin' on her pleasure!" . His roving eyes lit on the girl. "Ye're there, are ye P" he snarled. " I'll tacKb ye to trapes , the streets with a lot of shameless hussies, lio bettor than yourself, and kape mo wait-' iu' I Where's the money? Don't the fool know it's Saturday night?" He thrust out his hand; then suddenly his eyes fell : on the table littered with paper and string and purchases. For an instant he was speechless. Then the veins swelled dark -on his forehead; his- eyes were bloodshot, and the thick lips receded from'his 6et teeth. Emitting the' snarl of an' in-' furiated beast, lie ran toward the girl, seizing and shaking her violently with one hand, while with the other he slapped, her face so violently that a red mark sprang out oh it, as though burnt by fire. _. / "Have a care, Jim—have a care!" shouted his wife, roused from passivity. "Ye can't go knockin' a gir) about like that." "Can't IP" lie retorted'thunderingly. "'Who in hell's goin' to stopmo? I'll lain her! Where's fhe money?''' Again he raised, liis big fist threaten* ingly. ' , 1, ■ • „ With the' courage born of desperation, Emmeline sullenly pointed to tht envelope) then stealthily sought to cover her little possessions with a. bit of paper. But her "father perceived her gesture, as with a rapid motion he inserted his thumb and finger into, the envelope and drew out the two-dollar bill, which in his astpnishmcnt he , let 'flutter .to the floor. .. v'

"My Gawdl" vociferated the infuriated man. "To think that a child of mino would dare to "play me such .1 trick and bring 'ome. of rubbige like that! ' ' -VHe. spat contemptuously! upon : the pitiful fineryj then with a quick swoop snatched it into a crumpled mass,.and striding over to the stove, lifted the lid and flung it full upon the coals.'

Emmeiino uttered a wild cry, arid sprang forward, but, too lato, as gloves and stockings caught'th?.'.blaze,~s(nd vanished in a wreath of siiioke, and .tlie little shoes shrivelled beyond re demption. . The mother bunched coweringly in lier chair,' visibly. shrinking into. the smallest possible compass and hiding her oyes with a trembling hand. .The man deliberately turned 'on' the girl and struck her again so violently thai she staggered and fell crouching against the wall for shelter. "I'll larn ye to play tricks!" he shouted. "Now mind, out, ye go unless ve make up tho money ye owe for board, I ain't carin' how yo airn it, ho concluded significantly, "but tho monoy's got to come." 1 s. But the mother's instinct of protection was aroused, " Don't ye go for to put idees in her head," she quavered. " Em'• a good girl." But,-the' man turned on her with on angry scowl. '/Good!"' lio sneered. "Speudin her wages.on finery like that!" indicating the smouldering' heap within the stove. "I've had my say," he concluded, stirring the. shrinking, trembling girl with his boot. "Stop that snivelling and get to work. Stooping, ho picked up the two-dollar bill and lurched out of the room. . .'

As the door slammed, behind him, Emmeiino sprang to her feet. She was very pale now, save where the. mark of her father's hand flared a.vivid scarlet blotch upon her check. She staggered slightly, pushed the hair back from her forehead, then faced her mother, sullen, defiant. "You heerd him, urgin' me, what allers kep' myself respectable, to go onl on. the street. Well—l'm through now. I'm free. He'll never get another cent out of me, r. J help me Gawd'! I'm goin' to meet Jim Sullivan," ■ she went on recklessly, " and tell him—maybe he'll take me." Sho choked down a sob. "Just as I am. We could live if we put our money together. He airns good wages." The older woman rose, and leaned her hands 011 the table. " It's liard luck bavin' yo go," she said, with the simple acquiescence of one accustomed to submission. " And you tho last, and tlio others, out in Calvary. God rest thei.- souls 1" She blessed herself rapidly, adding slowly: "But ye liad'n't ought to make your father mad, when bo's fig])tin' drunk already. Come, put some water on that poor cheek of yourn and comb upyour hair. Sec, it's goin' on eight o'clock—maybe things'll look brighter in the mornin' " She tried to smile. Emmeline started. She knew that Jim Sullivan did not like to bo kept waiting. He was so accustomer 1

feminino adulation which deferred gladly to Ills whims, that she knew, by bitter experience, that ho was quite capable of sauntering off to the nearest billiard saloon if she were not promptly on time. Hastily rectifying the disorder of her appearance, she flew down the stairs and dashed out into the street, and arrived breathless at tho appointed spot, u short street leading down tho wharf. It was a favourite evening trysting place when it was deserted by the heavy drays, ladencd with barrels and boxes and manipulated by cursing drivers lashing their straining, sweating teams. Emmelino hardly dared to look as she abruptly turned the cornel', but there stood' tho object of her adoration, leaning against the post of a street lamp, and gazing ii> one direction and then another. Ho was short, stockily built, his head covered with yellow waving hair combed low over liis forehead; liis light blue eyes, were shifty and sulky, his firm white teeth gripped a cigarette resolutely. His blue serge suit was padded to mako liis shoulders brond'er than nature l>ad planned, and a larcn'

; pear! glittered in his red.necktie, ami his pudgy -thick fingers displayed more i tyffi one ring. I il So you're 'ere! 1 lieejaculated witflefnt preliminaries, and pushing his hat farther back on his head. " I wonder if you realise I'vo been kep' waitin • , nigh a hour? . I ain't used to lie kep' waitin'," he affirmed with the mien of A spoilt child. "I know that—l know that, apoiofised the girl breathlessly, shrinking ack from the circle of light. "Then what did' you do it for?' -do- . nianded tho man, unpacified by her ' gentleness. "Ain't that just like a woman to know slio's aggravating yet to keep on boin' it! There Ive been roolin' my heels, and I know the shop . closed at six. What in thunder have you been at?" " I'm lata. I'm sorry, wluspored Emmelino, with downcast eyes and heaving bosom. " 'Cause I stopped at ' Abraham's to got a few thiugs. "Oh, that's tho game!" replied the ' man, mollified by her submission. Adding jocosely with _ a wink: "Mavbo you was expectin' an invite to tho Elks, and wanted to do a foller proud." Stretching ail amorous finger, he chucked' her under the chin. ".Oh. Jim," quavered Emmelme ecstatically, shrinking farther back in the shadows, almost suffocated by ner heart's "quick throb. It' was coming •fellen, til© decisive word for which" she hoped. Slio would noTor }\m fa s° baclc an<l endur© her father's-rag©, her mother's feeble in effectuality. She fjilrretl. and W wi<!o MO M she whispered his name. I "Well, what's como over you toI jiicht?" he retorted good-naturedly. 1 "What you'ro afeard of? Come out fpto the light where a feller can see your pretty mug—and give me a kiss imd tell me you're proud' to be goin' to 4he Elks with the best dressed pan in Hyirie, wearin' silk socks. on. him and pa'teut leather pumps. What you got to match 'em?" .ho concluded with a chuckle. Emmeline's heart sank; and she grew ' very c6ld, as she humbly whispered. "Nothm'." The man's hand idropped to his 1 side in astonishment', as he repeated "Not Kin'!" Then his jaw related, and the lighted t cigarette fell, a momentary- spark upon tho pavement. There was a pause, then his egoism reasserted itself. ■ . . , , 1 " Stop .your kiddin'," he boasted, wrapped in • his arrogance. "There ' ain't a girl in Hyme what wouldn't be ; tickled-to death to stand in your shoes. You'ro just joshin* so as to. knock me silly when you meet me to-morrow, all toffged -out in-your pretties." Emmeline pushed the hair back from her aching forehead with a weary gesture. ' ft was so impossible to make i liim understand.

1 "Oh, Jim," she faltered, desperate in her need for sympathy, "it's true; I liaven't anything new " Hesitating, slie blurted: "I did buy some ■things, but I got fined in the shop for tnakin' a mistake, and father was that , mad at my not .bringin' home more money that he knocked me about cruel. Look at that." Her voice rose shrilly hysterical, and she camo boldly into the circle of light from the street lamp and displayed her poor battered face to his scrutiny. J Jim bent forward, staring fixedly where the reddened print of finger marks glowed like a burn, and already the eye above was swollen and almost closed.

' "My, you're a beaut!" he shouted loarsely. " Think I'm goin' to take a ,gal like that to the Elks P Not on your life," There was a sudden stunning gilence, then ho added emphatically : " I bet you deserved just what you got. I know Dan O'Gradyj and he ain't on reasonable."

. Emmeline stood, staring at him; for a second she thought she would faint, then suddenly strength ebbed back into her veins, a cloud fell from before her ryes. Even as her father's brutality had snapped the bonds of filial obedience, so this man's coarse egoism dissolved his fascination. She was free. She knew men now—the precious gift nf youth lay in her hands. She would' Vhapa and choose her life. With a wild note of mingled bitterness and exultation she laughed aloud, then started running np the quiet street. It was " only a dollar," but it had changed the course of a human soul.